Exam 5: Communication and Language

Why do some linguists argue that the evidence for an innate grammar is weak?

Children commonly pluralize words incorrectly, such as "mans," "deers," and "mouses." What does this suggest about the grasp of linguistic rules?

Animal systems, such as sound or odor, represent __________ but not __________.

The fact that there are thousands of languages tells us that language is __________.

Do you believe that grammar is universal? Support your answer with information learned from the study of pidgin, creole, and children's acquisition of language.

Pauses, shrugs, vocal communication, and facial expressions all contribute to __________.

Which of the following is true of gender differences within languages?

In general, the borrowing of __________ from another language is much more common than the borrowing of __________.

A study comparing Japanese and American facial expressions found that __________.

In which of the following situations would you expect the speaker's language to feature regular consonant-vowel alteration?

What is the major cause of the disappearance of native languages?

What does it mean to say that a word or sound is arbitrary?

Children learn spoken language at __________.

Which statement is true of syntax?

Where is a protolanguage's point of origin most likely to be found?

Which of these statements is true of global literacy?

While English has 26 letters, it has __________ significant sounds.

Although gorillas and chimpanzees appear to have the capacity for symbolic communication, human language is a unique communication system because __________.

Any system of communication consists of publicly accepted __________ by which individuals try to share private experiences.

Based on linguistic and archaeological research, the speakers of proto-Indo-European are believed to have lived around modern-day __________.